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Wrecked Truck Driver

BERLIN – A Delaware man who first stranded his truck in the median on Route 50 before waving and jumping in front of cars attracted attention to himself to the point he was arrested for drinking and driving this week.

Around 4 a.m. on Sunday, Maryland State Police troopers responded to the area of Route 50 and Hall Rd. for a report of a white male hitch-hiking and jumping in front of oncoming traffic. Upon arrival, the officers contacted a suspect, later identified as Robert Miller Howard, Jr., 48, of Laurel, Del., who told police he had just wrecked his truck in the center median and was just trying to get home.

Troopers located the vehicle submerged in a drainage ditch just east of where they questioned Howard. Berlin EMS responded to the scene and Howard was transported to Peninsula Regional Medical Center with undisclosed injuries. Based on Howard’s statements, demeanor and the strong odor of alcohol on his breath and person, Howard was charged with DUI and DWI.

Birthday Boy Didn’t Want To Leave Bar

OCEAN CITY – A Virginia man was arrested and charged with disorderly conduct and resisting arrest last weekend after repeatedly refusing to go quietly from a mid-town bar after being as to leave.

Shortly before 2 a.m. last Saturday, an OCPD officer on routine patrol observed the security staff at Fager’s Island physically removing an intoxicated man, later identified as Joshua Kevin Wanamaker, 22, of Temperanceville, Va., who was apparently getting an early start on celebrating his birthday. Wanamaker was escorted to the bottom of the ramp at the main entrance to the establishment where he was informed he was no longer welcome due to his level of intoxication.

Wanamaker, who was visibly intoxicated with slurred speech and poor balance, began to voice his displeasure with being removed from the bar. He made one attempt to go back up the ramp but was stopped by bar staff. The OCPD officer then told Wanamaker to stand quietly under the awning over the ramp or leave the premises by going out in the pouring rain. Wanamaker told the officer he did nothing wrong and also said he was going to sue the bar staff. As he made his case, he became louder and louder and used more and more vulgar language, according to police reports.

A short time later, two of Wanamaker’s friends came out and peacefully tried to get him to leave, but he fought with them and began to shout obscenities at the police officer. He also tried to fight his way past his friends in an effort to get at the police officer. Wanamaker then launched into an expletive-filled tirade on the officer and the Fager’s security staff while his friends tried to restrain him.

The OCPD officer finally interceded and attempted to place Wanamaker under arrest for disorderly conduct, but he did not go quietly. He continued his string of obscenities as he refused to be handcuffed. He was finally restrained by the officer with the help of the bar security staff. Wanamaker was charged with disorderly conduct and resisting arrest.

Assault Suspect Busted On Drug, Traffic Charges

OCEAN CITY – An Ocean City man was arrested on drug possession and traffic charges last week after being identified as a suspect in an assault earlier in the evening.

Around 1:20 a.m. last Friday, two OCPD officers were approached on North Division Street by a female who told them she had been assaulted by two people earlier in the night and was familiar with her assailants and where they lived. The officers responded to the residence on Dorchester Street, but the suspects were not there. The alleged victim told police the suspects were driving a maroon Buick with Texas tags, and when one of the officers circled around the 7-Eleven store on N. Division, he spotted the suspect vehicle.

The officer pulled the vehicle over and contacted the driver, later identified as Travis W. Sistrunk, 26, of Ocean City, who informed the police he was driving on a suspended license from Texas. Sistrunk was arrested on the driving while suspended charge, and a search of the vehicle incident to the arrest revealed a glass crack cocaine smoking device under the passenger seat.

The officer placed Sistrunk in his police cruiser for transportation to the public safety building. Later, at the end of the officer shift, while he was cleaning out his car, he found a torn-off corner of a cigarette pack with a rock of cocaine rolled up inside where Sistrunk was sitting. Sistrunk was charged with possession of paraphernalia for the crack smoking device and possession of crack for the rock found in the police cruiser, as well as driving on a revoked and suspended out of state license.

School Job Site Burglarized

NEWARK – The Worcester County Bureau of Investigation (WCBI) this week is investigating a burglary at the construction site of the new Worcester County vocational high school in Newark.

On Monday, a burglary at the new Worcester County vocational high school during which several thousands of dollars worth of power tools, lap-top computers and copper was stolen from the facility was reported to the county sheriff’s office.

The WCBI is investigating the burglary with Detective Mike Lupiwok taking the lead. Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of the stolen items or the suspects involved is urged to call the sheriff’s office at 410-632-1111 or WCBI at 410-352-3476.

Mirror Basher Arrested

WEST OCEAN CITY – A Delaware man was arrested recently on malicious destruction of property charges after kicking the mirror of a vehicle on a West Ocean City shopping center parking lot while the owner was shopping in a department store.

A little before 9 p.m. on Dec. 8, Maryland State Police troopers from the Berlin barrack responded to the White Marlin Mall parking lot for a reported malicious destruction of property. The investigation revealed a suspect later identified as Angel Lopez from Frankford, Del., kicked the passenger side mirror of a 2000 Chevy Monte Carlo causing an estimated $184 in damages. The vehicle’s owner was inside the Marshall’s department store at the time of the incident.

It is not clear if Lopez knew the victim or what the motive for the malicious destruction was. Lopez was served with a criminal summons for malicious destruction of property under $500 and was later released on his signature.

Vehicles Burglarized

BERLIN – Several vehicles were broken into this week in and around the River Run community with various items stolen.

Around 6 a.m. on Tuesday, Maryland State Police troopers responded to a residence on Dolly Circle in reference to thefts from vehicles. The investigation, as well as several additional phone calls revealed as many as 10 vehicles had been broken into in the River Run community and nearby Dolly Circle. Each had various items stolen from their interiors.

Anyone with information on the thefts or the suspects is encouraged to call the state police Berlin barrack at 410-641-3101.

Stolen Car Recovered

WEST OCEAN CITY – A Delaware man was arrested last weekend and charged with motor vehicle theft after a routine traffic stop revealed the car he was driving was reported stolen in Virginia in June.

Last Saturday, a Maryland State Police trooper stopped a 2001 Honda Civic for failing to stop at a red light at Keyser Point Rd. in West Ocean City. A background check revealed the vehicle had been reported stolen in Virginia in June. The driver, William Bruce, 62, of Ocean View, Del., was arrested and charged with motor vehicle theft and was released on his own recognizance after processing.

Bus Vandals Busted

BERLIN – Four juveniles from the Ocean City and Berlin areas were arrested last week and more arrests could be on the way following an incident back in October during which several suspects broke out all of the windows of a bus at a Berlin residence.

On Oct. 31, Maryland State Police troopers responded to a residence on Gray’s Corner Rd. in response to a reported malicious destruction of property. The investigating trooper was able to determine that around 3 p.m. on Oct. 20, an unknown number of juveniles intentionally and with malice damaged a 1980 Chevrolet bus belonging to Aubrey Bishop of Whaleyville.

The vehicle was used to store car parts for a local business. All 34 windows on the bus, including the windshield, were shattered, and the suspects entered the vehicle and threw the various car parts on the ground around the bus. As of Dec. 16, four local juveniles have been arrested in connection with the crime and several other juveniles will be interviewed as the investigation continues.

Accident Leads To DUI Charge

BERLIN – A Berlin woman was arrested and charged with driving under the influence last week after a collision with another vehicle on Route 50 near the Glen Riddle community.

On Dec. 12, Maryland State Police troopers from the Berlin barrack responded to an accident on Route 50 and Man O’ War Lane near Berlin. The investigation revealed a 2006 Scion driven by Diana Nicole Eppard-Simesco was attempting to make a U-turn at the intersection and failed to yield the right-of-way to a 2006 Dodge truck and collided with the vehicle. Eppard-Simesco was arrested for driving under the influence and transported to Atlantic General Hospital with injuries.

Burglary Investigated

BISHOPVILLE – The investigation continues this week into the burglary of a thrift shop in Bishopville sometime last Thursday.

On Dec. 13, Maryland State Police troopers responded to the Dennis Thrift Shop in Bishopville for a reported burglary. The investigation revealed a suspect or suspects entered the store through a rear window. Once inside, the suspects were able to steal an undetermined amount of currency. The crime occurred sometime between Dec. 12 and Dec. 13. Anyone with information is urged to call the state police at 410-641-3101.

Fugitive Busted In Pines

OCEAN PINES – A local woman wanted as a fugitive in Delaware was arrested in Ocean Pines last week after state police received a tip she was frequenting the area.

Last Tuesday, the Maryland State Police received information that Nicole Rene Hills, 26, of Willards, was wanted on a fugitive warrant from the state of Delaware. The state police were advised Hills was living in the Willards area, and on Wednesday, they went to the Willards address but did not find their suspect.

They did learn, however, that Hills frequented a residence on Beacon Hill Rd. in Ocean Pines, and when the police went to the residence, they found Hills to be inside. Hills was arrested without incident and was transported to see a court commissioner in Worcester County where she was ordered held without bail while awaiting extradition to Delaware.

Estranged Wife Arrested On Burglary Charges

WEST OCEAN CITY – An Ocean City woman was charged with burglary last week after an investigation revealed she had entered the residence of her estranged husband in West Ocean City and taken property without his consent.

On Dec. 5, Maryland State Police troopers responded to a residence on West Torquay Rd. in West Ocean City for a reported burglary. The investigation revealed a suspect, Crystal Faye Wyman, 30, of Ocean City, had arrived at the home and entered the room of her estranged husband without his consent and took property she later said was acquired during their marriage. A criminal summons charging fourth-degree burglary was served on Wyman last Wednesday, Dec. 12.

Trespassing Arrest in Berlin

BERLIN – A Berlin man was arrested for trespassing recently at a local drug store after fleeing a shoplifting at a grocery store across the street.

On Dec. 5, Berlin Police responded to a reported shoplifting in progress at the Food Lion grocery store in Berlin. Upon arrival, the officers learned the suspect had fled the store, but they located a man matching the description of the shoplifter a short time later at the Rite Aid across the street. The suspect, identified as Kenneth Gaynor, 45, of Berlin, had recently been issued a no trespassing warning by the Rite Aid and was arrested for trespassing for violating the order. He was issued a citation and later released.

Juvenile Scuffles With Cops

BERLIN – A Berlin juvenile was arrested on resisting arrest and weapons charges last week after scuffling with Berlin Police officers while being taken into custody for an outstanding warrant.

On Dec. 12, Berlin Police located and arrested a 17-year-old local male wanted on an outstanding warrant in Worcester County for failure to appear for a case in which he was involved. While being taken into custody, the youth struggled with the officers. Once he was taken into custody, a routine search revealed he had brass knuckles on his person.

The juvenile was charged with resisting arrest and wearing and carrying a concealed dangerous weapon.

Ditched Car Leads To Arrest

BERLIN – A Berlin woman was arrested on drunk driving and negligent driving charges recently after local police found her car in a ditch on West Street.

On Dec. 6, Berlin Police officers responded to a report of a motor vehicle collision on West Street involving a vehicle in a ditch with entrapment. Upon arrival, the officers found the vehicle in a ditch, but the driver was nowhere to be found. A short time later, they found the driver, identified as Tammy Allbritton, 40, of Berlin, and detected a strong odor of alcohol on her breath. After failing a series of field sobriety tests, Allbritton was arrested and charged with driving under the influence, driving while intoxicated and negligent driving.

Counterfeit Credit Card Use

OCEAN CITY – In District Court Monday morning, Lewis Darmone Brown, 34, of the Bronx, N.Y., pleaded guilty to charges involving the use of a counterfeit credit card, resulting in a 21-day jail sentence.

On Dec. 21, 2006, police responded to a call from Late Night Liquor and Kegs on 66th Street and Coastal Highway. The owner provided police with surveillance tapes of Brown purchasing champagne and calling cards with a credit card that later proved to be counterfeit. The owner also provided receipts showing that Brown purchased $1,062.55 in merchandise.

Brown’s attorney explained to the court that restitution had been paid, and that Brown had already served 21 days in jail for the offense. Brown was found guilty and sentenced to 21 days in the county jail and was credited with 21 days of time served.

DUI Charges End In Jail Time

OCEAN CITY – Michael Benjamin Gable, 24, of Jessup, Md., faced driving under the influence charges this week, which resulted in a six-month jail sentence.

On June 9, around 4 a.m., officers spotted a black truck on the sidewalk along 127th Street and Coastal Highway. After approaching the vehicle, officers learned from the driver that the vehicle had been struck from behind and that the offending vehicle had driven away. Officers quickly located the vehicle, a red Jeep, in a parking lot on 120th Street. Gable was passed out in the driver’s seat and officers had to bang on the window repeatedly to wake him. When officers asked Gable if he knew where he was he responded, “Baltimore.” Gable was also emitting a strong odor of alcohol.

When asked if he was carrying any weapons, Gable produced a four-inch, double-sided knife from his front pocket. Gable was arrested for driving under the influence and possession of a concealed weapon. In District Court Monday, Gable was sentenced to six months in jail with credit for 69 days of time served for driving under the influence.